Hydraulic propeller for ships



Patented Ian. 17, I899.

A. PLECHER.

HYDRAULIC PROPELLER FOR SHIPS.

(Application filed May 10, 1898.)

(No Model.)

/NVEN7'0/? zdr'ew flasher! WITNESSES A Z'TOHNE rs.

UNITED STATES ANDRElV PLECHER, O F

PATENT O ICE.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

HYDRAULIC PROPELLER FOR SHIPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,969, dated January 17, 1899. Application filed May 10,1898. Serial No. 680,297. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it-known that I, ANDREW PLEOHER, of Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State ofiVirginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Hydraulic Propellers for Vessels', of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to that class'of jet or hydraulic propellers for various marine vessels in which a rotatable screw or spiralblade propeller is arranged in a tube that traverses the vessel from stem to stern and: takes inwater at its front end and discharges it at the other. I have devised certain improvements in the construction of the propeller. proper and in valveattachn ents for the jet or water-conducting tube, whereby certain important advantages are attained;

The construction and arrangement of parts are hereinafter described, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is in part a side View and in part a vertical section of the hull of a-vessel providedwith my improvement. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective and partly-sectional view of the tube and propeller proper. Fig. 3. is a side view showing a modification.

A jet'or water-conducting tube extends longitudinally of the hulloc from stem to stern.

.-It is composed of fixed sections 1 1 and an interposed'rotatable section 2- --that is to say, at some point in the length of said tube, preferably at the middle, it is divided transversely and a rotatable section 2 is inserted, the same being alined withthe others, 1 1, as shown in Fig. 1. This section 2 has an interior spiral or screwblade 3', v(see Fig. 2,) which is preferably formed integrally with the tube properthat surrounds it, or its side edges are permanently and rigidly attached of motor.

to the tube in some suitable manner. The ends of this rotatable screw-section 2 are held 'in stuffing-boxes 4:, applied to the adjacent ends of the fixed sections 1 1, as shown in. Fig. 2.

The screw-section 2 is, provided exteriorly with a concentric annular spu rgear 5, Fig. 1, which meshes with a gear (not shown) forming part of driving mechanism connected with a steam-engine or electric or other form The said gear 5 not only serves'as a driving medium, but also as a fly or balance .wheel which. steadies the rotation of the screw-section 2.

It is apparent that theretation of such screw-section 2 drives a cur-j to propelfiit sternward. The screw proper, 3,

has practically a uniform thickness ,at all points in its cross-section;

In consequenceof this construction and the attachment" of the screw or spiral 3 directly to the tube proper the propeller ofiers the least possible obstruction to the-water passing through it, whereby a proportionally greater propulsive efiect is produced:

In case of a leak or the accumulation of the water in the hold of the vessel from ari'y'cause it may be removed through the tube. I provide the fixed sectionsl 1 with a slidable cutoff valve 6 between the rotatable section 2 and the bow and. stern, as shown. These valves 6 may be operated by a screw rod or.

shaft 7, and the latter may-be provided with a hand-wheel or be connected with other mechanism under the control of the engineerif Short tubes 8 extend downward from the main tube and are provided with"globe-valves 9,

which are operated by a. worm-shaft 10. The

latter may be manipulated by hand 'or connected with mechanism the engineer.

; It is apparent that forward cut-0E valve 6 and opening either globe-valve 9 and then rotating the screwsection 2 water may be rapidly removed from the-vessels hold either forward or aft. brief, the mechanism shown constitutes a veryeffective ships pump, with the advantage that the water removed may be utilized for propulsion of the vessel.

under the control of 'by closing the bow or- To enable the apparatus to be conveniently utilized for extinguishing fires or raising water for washing deck or other purposes, I provide the tube-sections 1 1* with two fire-hose attachments 11, one being arranged between the screw-section 2 and each of the cut-0E valves 6. By closing one of the latter water may be driven through the adjacent hose 11, and by closing both cut-off valves 6 and one globe-valve 9 water may be taken from the hold and forced through either hose 11. The advantages of this combination and arrange- .ment of parts are apparent.

I show inFig.;3 arotary engine 12, applied to the tube-section 2'for rotatingit. In such case the wheel proper will be attached directly to the tube and the casing of the wheel fixed concentrically.

As a means ofavoiding a direct backward current in the stern-water or for aid in steering the vessel I may provide a swiveled extension 13, Fig. 1, of the fixed tube-section 1. A suitable device will be provided for directing such section 13 at any angle.

It willbe understood that the tube-sections 1 and 1 may be arranged with their inlet and discharge openings in rear of the bow and in front of the stern, respectively, if desired.

WVhat I claim .is-&

1. The combination, with a vessels hull, of

a jet or water-conductingtube traversing the samefrom stem to stern a rotatable screwsection, alinedwith fixed tube-sections, and journaled on the latter, such rotatable section being'composed of a tube proper and a spiral blade, or screw proper, whose side edges aresecured to the tube, substantially as shown and described. r 2. The combination, with a vessels hull, of

\ fixedtube-sectionstraversing the same as .de-

section, exteriorly,'as shown and described.

- 3. The combination with a vessels hull and. a tube traversing the same, of a propeller located in mid-length of thetube, cut-off valves arranged on each side of the screw, and other valves for controlling admission of water from the hold, substantially as shown and described.

4. The combination with a vessels hull, .40

and a tube traversing the same, of valves for controlling admission of water from the hold, and a rotatable, screw tube-section, as shown and described.

5. The combination, with a vessels hull, 5

propeller, substantially as shown and described, to operate as specified.

7. The combination, with a vessels hull. and a tube traversing the same, of a cut-oif Valve arranged in said tube, a propeller connected with the tube, cut-off valves located exterior to the propeller, hose-attachments arranged between the cut-off valves and the propeller, and short tubes pendent from the main tube, and having valves for regulating the inlet of water, substantially as shown and described.

ANDREW PLECIIER. W'itnesses:

CHARLES E. .MUTTER, F. JOHN SMITH. 

